Page 45 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
“Not very.” She shrugged. “I’m too afraid of what’s out here to find the comfort that you obviously do.”
That was because he wasn’t afraid of any animals. He was a dragon. There were few things he feared.
“For some time, they had patrols set up on either end of the road, as well as one in the middle,” Nia said.
“Why did they stop?”
Her honey eyes met his. “A brineling attacked the soldiers. Then a second attack happened. That time a wildcat. All within days of each other. Everyone was terrified of the animals. It’s safer inside the city walls.”
“Yet, you come with me?”
“We won’t be going far, and it’s daylight. I can see if anything is near.” She faced forward as if her words made it so.
He almost smiled at her naiveté. Numerous wild animals were all around her. Some might be small, but they were just as threatening. “You left out the dragon.”
Her head snapped to his, her eyes wide with shock as if she had just gotten caught at something. “That’s right. I told you about the dragon. How could I forget about that?” she asked with a forced laugh.
“Were you scared?”
“Everyone was. We had no idea what its intention was. Its roar shook the mountain. I’ve never heard anything like it.”
“But it didna harm anyone?”
She shook her head, refusing to look at him.
“The brineling and the wildcat killed the soldiers who were out here, but you hold more fear for dragons?”
“Dragons have magic.”
And there was the source. “Ah. I see.”
She halted and turned to him. “I don’t think you do.”
“Explain it to me, then.”
Her lips parted, but she hesitated. “Why aren’t you afraid?”
“Who says I’m no’?”
“You have a dragon tattoo on your body.”
He grinned and shrugged. “Where I come from, people have all sorts of tattoos on their bodies. The designs could have meaning, or could be they just liked the design and wanted it on themselves. Doona read too much into it.”
“You aren’t scared to be out here.”
Shaw gazed into her eyes. He thought about stating who he was. Would she pretend to be shocked, or would she admit that she knew? “As I told you before, there is peril everywhere. You may no’ perceive it, but it’s there. Even in the city.”
“I know exactly what kind of dangers are in the city.”
Something in her tone gave him pause. Almost as if she had suffered something. He wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to deviate from his current track. “I’m talking about the two men following you.”
Nia looked at the ground before turning to the side. “I know about them.”
“Why are they there?”
“A precaution.”
Getting anything from her was like pulling teeth. Shaw sighed, reining in his irritation. “For what?”
“Anything.”
Shaw clenched his teeth. He had to remind himself that she had been taught to fear him and magic. If he was going to get anything from her, he would have to push. “Walk with me through the forest. Then, let’s keep going.”
“I can’t,” she said in a soft voice.
But he heard the longing to do just that. “Why no’? Is family holding you here?”
“I’m not like you.” She faced him, anger flashing in her eyes. “I can’t just pick up and travel when I want.”
“Is it the money? Are you afraid of being without?”
“Everyone is afraid of being without, be it shelter or food,” she snapped.
There was something there, a stark fear that had flashed for just a moment in her eyes. Had she known hunger? “I’m no’ without funds. I could ensure you have both. Just a wee trip.”
Her eyes narrowed as she regarded him silently. “Why are you pushing this now?”
“Why are you resisting?”
“I told you.”
“Actually, you didna. You’ve no’ said much of anything other than nay.”
“That should be enough.”
Shaw wasn’t going to give up. “We doona have to stay the night. Let’s just walk through the forest to the other side. There’s a beautiful canyon. I’ll show you, and then we can return if you want.”
“I can’t leave yet.”
Yet. A reminder that she was a prisoner. He hated that he was pushing her toward the revelation, but he had a feeling she wouldn’t do it any other way. “Why? Is there a deadline you have to meet?”
Exasperation filled her face. “Of course, not. There are things I have to do.”
“You didn’t mind putting anything off yesterday while we were having sex. But taking a walk to see something that isna far from the city is too much?”
“Yes,” she cried, her anger, exasperation, and anxiety letting loose in that one word.
He was getting somewhere now. It pained him to have to keep going. “Why?”
“Because.” She had composed herself once more.
